History of Mathematics at Manchester

This School was formed in 2004 by the merger of the mathematics departments of the Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). The merger brought together two schools that were of similar size and academic strength. Find out more about our current research and staff, or how to study at the School.

Many famous mathematicians have worked in both schools and their achievements set a standard for us today.

Max Newman (1897-1984)

Max Newman was the first person in Britain to contribute to modern topology. He made a significant contribution to the British success in deciphering German messages and he was a particularly effective academic manager.

MHA Newman's early work was in Cambridge where he undertook fundamental and influential work in combinatorial topology. In 1942 he moved to the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park leading a unit called the 'Newmanry', where work was done in developing machines to decipher the German 'Fish' signals.

Moving to Manchester in 1945, Newman succeeded Mordell as Fielden Professor and during the next 19 years he demonstrated remarkable abilities in enhancing the Department of Mathematics leading his staff to give of their best. He attached great importance to the quality of undergraduate teaching. When the British Mathematical Colloquium was founded in 1949 it was Newman who ensured that its first meeting was in Manchester.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1939 and was awarded the Sylvester Medal in 1959 and De Morgan Medal in 1962. He was President of the London Mathematical Society (1950-1951) and President of the Mathematical Association in 1959.